Best Vegan Cranberry Apple Crisp (Gluten Free Recipe)

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The Best Vegan Cranberry Apple Crisp pairs perfectly with vegan ice cream. It's also gluten-free, nut-free, and full of delicious flavors and spices. 

There's no better way to celebrate apple and cranberry season than making dishes like this crisp, dairy-free apple crisp, apple cider donuts, or cranberry jalapeño salsa. You don't want to miss out on these recipes!

Inspired by triple berry crisp, this vegan cranberry apple crisp brings together the delicious flavors of fall within one perfect dish!

With both sweet and tart apples as well as cranberries, this crisp achieves the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg are included in the filling and the topping for an extra layer of warmth and flavor throughout.

The gooey, sweet, but still slightly crunchy filling is contrasted by the toasty and crisp topping. Add a dollop of coconut whipped cream or vegan ice cream, and you have perfect harmony.

I love this on top of vegan yogurt for breakfast because it perfectly balances the sweetness of the crisp. And also because who doesn't want crisp for breakfast... Need I say more?

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Directions with Pictures
• Make Ahead Tips
• Ways to Serve
• Storage
• FAQ
• More Vegan Fall Desserts
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredients

To make cranberry apple crisp, you will need the following ingredients.

Cranberry Apple Filling:

• Apples - You can use whatever apples you prefer in this recipe. A mix of green and red apples adds a nice variety of flavors. I used Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, which are suitable for baking because their texture holds up through the baking process while also delivering a delicious flavor.
• Cranberries - Either fresh or frozen cranberries work. I like using frozen since they are already washed and ready to use.
• Brown Sugar - Sweetens the filling, balancing the tartness of the green apple and cranberries.
• Cornstarch - Helps to thicken the filling, so it is perfectly set when you slice into it. Tapioca starch also works! 
• Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sea Salt - Help enhance the flavor and give a warm feel to the filling to complement the fruit.

Crisp Topping:

• Oats - These are the bulk of the crisp topping and provide a lovely contrast to the cranberry apple filling. Old-fashioned rolled oats work best.
• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour - Or almond flour gives the topping some structure. If you are not gluten-free, regular all-purpose flour also works. 
• Brown Sugar - Sweetens the crisp and gives a golden brown color to the topping.
• Plant-Based Butter - Is melted and combined with the dry ingredients to hold the topping together. Melting the butter ensures an even distribution throughout the crisp. You could also use melted coconut oil.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Sea Salt - Add extra flavor to the crisp.

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

Directions with Pictures

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your vegan cranberry apple crisp.

Make the Filling:

1. Place all the cranberry apple filling ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Mix for about 3 minutes until thoroughly combined.
3. Place the filling in a 9” pie dish or an 8” x 8” brownie pan. 
4. Spread the filling out into an even layer using a spoon.

Make the Topping:

5. Place all the crisp topping ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. 
6. Mix until thoroughly combined.
7. Dollop onto the filling. Keep the topping crumbly instead of smoothing it out as an even layer. 
8. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes or until the fruit bubbles and the top looks golden. 

Make Ahead Tips

This vegan crisp is excellent to make ahead so that all you have to do is plop it in the oven when you are ready to eat it!

• Prep the Apples - Prepping the filling ahead of time can relieve stress on the day you want to eat this dessert. Chop your apples ahead of time! 
• Prep the Entire Crisp - Assemble the crisp just as you would before baking it. But instead, wrap it well and store it in the freezer! Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Ways to Serve

This crisp is delicious as is, but here are some ways to take it to the next level and make it the most decadent dessert!

• Vegan Ice Cream - Creamy vegan vanilla ice cream is a classic accompaniment to warm fruit crisps. The So Delicious “Wonder Milk” is my current favorite.
• Vegan Whipped Cream - Top your crisp with a generous dollop of coconut whipped cream. The balance of the light and fluffy cream with the crisp is fantastic. 
• Coconut or Cashew Yogurt - Serve the crisp with a scoop of vegan yogurt. Its natural creaminess and slight tanginess make it an excellent pairing for breakfast!
• Nut Butter - Drizzle almond or cashew butter over your apple cranberry crisp. The nuttiness beautifully complements the fruity flavors while packing some protein into the dish.
• Toasted Nuts - Garnish with a handful of toasted nuts like sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or walnuts. They add a delightful crunch and earthy flavor.

Storage

Allow your vegan cranberry apple crisp to fully cool before storing it. Cover the dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Or place individual servings of the crisp into an airtight container.

Store the covered dish or airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days (if it lasts that long!) If you want to store it longer, freeze the crisp in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months.

To reheat the apple cranberry crisp, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the foil or plastic wrap and bake the crisp for about 15 to 20 minutes or until it is heated and the topping is crispy again. If reheating from frozen, allow the crisp to thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.

FAQ

More Vegan Fall Desserts

📖 Recipe

This recipe has been updated with new pictures and tips. It was adapted from Maggie's recipe that was posted on December 21, 2018.